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Fischer pledges to reduce vet homelessness

Natalie Harris, executive director of the local Coalition for the Homeless, said there are about 200 homeless veterans in Louisville on any given night that need shelter. She said, "This is a very manageable problem that we as a community can solve, if we are working together to make it happen."

Fischer pledges to reduce vet homelessness

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has signed a pledge to try to reduce, and eventually eliminate, homeless for the local population of military veterans by 2016.

President Barack Obama's administration recently announced a "call to action" challenging mayors across the country to make a commitment to help veterans find housing in their cities. Groups such as the federal departments of Housing and Administration and Veterans Affairs and the National League of Cities have joined the effort.

Fischer said earlier this month

he recently signed the challenge to try to end veteran homelessness by 2016 and will work with the Coalition for the Homeless and other groups to develop programs and find funding to try to meet the challenge.

Natalie Harris, executive director of the local Coalition for the Homeless, said there are about 200 homeless veterans in Louisville on any given night that need shelter. She said, "This is a very manageable problem that we as a community can solve, if we are working together to make it happen."

The coalition is the lead advocate for the homeless in Louisville. Largely through its effort and working with kindred groups, the number of chronically homeless persons living on the streets of Louisville has been cut sharply in recent years.